Business | Aviation
We bring you true tales from people stranded in Dubai and around the world by the flight chaos caused by Iceland's drifting volcanic ash cloud.
Archive
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Published 14:16 April 21, 2010
I believe I can fly
The skies are full of planes again and I can go home.
Emirates has laid on two extra flights per day from London Gatwick it seems. Each one is full but the lady at the Skywards service centre has found me a spot.
I am going to be on one them. Long before Friday, and only six days late.
Flights are opening up all over the place. I'm heading home. Read more...Posted by Adam Flinter, Hub Editor (out of the UK)
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Published 14:11 April 21, 2010
Homeward bound
Home finally after some more delays along the way.
The Emirates staff got the passengers on board well on schedule at Nice.
But the captain had to apologise several times as the luggage loading, which was out of Emirates’ control, took a lot longer.
End result was we left nearly an hour and half behind schedule. The crew was all helpful and I suspect the passengers were just relieved to finally get on a plane. Read more...Posted by Brian Buchanan, Portal Editor (no longer stuck in France)
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Published 11:27 April 21, 2010
Last taste of France
Nice, late afternoon Tuesday: I walk out of the station and see a long queue. But I'm in luck. A driver with a passenger already on board sees my bags and yells out to confirm I am going to the airport. And away we go. Read more...
Posted by Brian Buchanan, Portal Editor (stuck in France)
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Published 11:24 April 20, 2010
Train tales
Paris, early morning Tuesday: I'm not naturally an early riser but somehow I am up before my 5am wake-up call and finish my packing for the trains and plane – hopefully – ahead. Read more...
Posted by Brian Buchanan, Portal Editor (stuck in France)
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Published 16:07 April 20, 2010
What's that in the sky?
At precisely 12.19pm London time I saw something I haven't seen in a while.
It was a plane! Piercing through the blue sky as I walked through west London. Quite a few people noticed it too. A bit of a Superman moment. Except it was indeed a plane.
Hope rising again? Or a false promise? Read more...Posted by Adam Flinter, Hub Editor (stuck in the UK)
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Published 15:18 April 20, 2010
Braving the cold
Hats off to the airlines who are making sure there are staff at hand to advise weary passengers.
Doubly so because they have to to it outdoors. The airport has closed the check in area. So the hardy Emirates ground staff have to stand in the cold for 9 hours everyday.
Clad in heavy coats, gloves and wearing cheery smiles. They've spoken to a handful of people but are expecting more.
"People are getting more optimistic today so we're expecting a few more."
At the Dubai end. Apparently Basement Jaxx are stranded in Dubai, where I imagine there are no coats needed for standing outside. Read more...Posted by By Adam Flinter, Hub Editor (stuck in the UK)
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Published 15:16 April 20, 2010
Situation Heathrow
It's normally the busiest airport in the world.
But London's Heathrow still resembles a ghost town.
Airline staff are almost outnumbering potential passengers, although the 100 or people milling around the huge outdoor concourse at terminal 3 is three times the number that were there yesterday.
That's actually a good sign as it means people have been staying away.
Their renewed optimism seems misplaced though. Airline staff have to tell them that London airspace isn't likely to reopen today. Read more...Posted by Adam Flinter, Hub Editor (stuck in the UK)
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Published 21:48 April 19, 2010
Good news and bad news
The good news is that airspace is likely to be opening over Scotland at 7am on Tuesday morning. Read more...
Posted by Adam Flinter, Hub Editor
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Published 20:18 April 19, 2010
Chasing down a way home from Paris
A breakthrough - planes are taking off in France - at least for the moment. Read more...
Posted by By Brian Buchanan, Portal Editor (stuck in Paris)
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Published 14:05 April 19, 2010
The wait continues
Even though I know my flight is going to be cancelled. I can't change my ticket until it is officially announced as cancelled. So I cannot change my flight to Nice until then. Lets hope not too many people have the same idea.
The clock is ticking. Read more...Posted by Adam Flinter, Hub Editor (stuck in the UK)
